Flo blanket and methods of making and using same

ABSTRACT

A blanket, including at least a first, second, and third blanket component, wherein each blanket component includes a plurality of short sides and long sides such that one of the long sides of the first blanket component is operatively connected to one of the long sides of the second blanket component and the other long side of the second blanket component is operatively connected to one of the long sides of the third blanket component, a first plurality of openings located between the first blanket component and the second blanket component, a second plurality of openings located between the second blanket component and the third blanket component, and a plurality of stitches located adjacent to the first and second plurality of openings.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application 63/105,650, filed on Oct. 26, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure to the extent such a disclosure is not inconsistent with the disclosure herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to a blanket design that introduces distinctive and strategically located openings that allow the legs or arms of the user to be positioned out of the blanket. The blanket also provides greater ability for temperature regulation of the user while the user is sleeping or relaxing. Finally, the blanket allows more freedom of movement of the user to prevent sticking or overstretching of the blanket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the present invention, as set forth in general terms above and more specifically below, it is known, that the blankets are used during rest and relaxation of the user in order to provide comfort and to keep the user warm. However, it is further known that quite often the user gets too warm under the blanket and must remove, at least, part of the blanket from the user's body so that the user can cool down. However, if the user removes too much of the blanket, the user may cool down too quickly and become cold again.

It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill these and other needs in the blanket art in a manner more apparent to the skilled artisan once given the following disclosure.

The preferred blanket, according to various embodiments of the present invention, offers the following advantages: ease of use; improved user comfort; improved flexibility; the ability to allow the user to regulate or control the user's body temperature; reduced sticking to the user; reduced overstretching of the blanket; and the ability to use the blanket during rest or relaxation. In fact, in many of the preferred embodiments, these advantages are optimized to an extent that is considerably higher than heretofore achieved in prior, known blankets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features and steps of the invention and the manner of attaining them will become apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters represent like parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top, perspective view of the flo blanket components, constructed according the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top, perspective view of the layers of the flo blanket components, constructed according the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front, perspective view of a flo blanket, constructed according the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a back, perspective view of the fib blanket, constructed according the present invention;

FIG. 5 is another front, perspective view of the flo blanket showing cross-sectional locations for FIGS. 6 and 7 and a sectional view of FIG. 8, constructed according the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the flo blanket, taken along lines 6-6 in FIG. 5, constructed according the present invention;

FIG. 7 is another cross-sectional view of the flo blanket, taken along lines 7-7 in FIG. 5, constructed according the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the flo blanket, taken from section 8 in FIG. 5, constructed according the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of the user being positioned underneath the flo blanket and with the user's arms and legs extending out of the flo blanket, according the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In order to address the shortcomings of the prior, known blankets, it would be desirable to utilize a blanket design that introduces distinctive and strategically located openings that allow the legs or arms of the user to be positioned outside of the blanket. Also, the blanket should provide greater ability for temperature regulation of the user while the user is sleeping or relaxing. Finally, the blanket should allow more freedom of movement of the user to prevent sticking to the user or overstretching of the blanket.

Reference is made now to FIGS. 1-8, where there are illustrated flo blanket 2. Flo blanket 2 includes, in part, blanket components 4 a-4 c having stitching 6 a-6 c and 7 (FIG. 8), respectively. With respect to blanket components 4 a-4 c, preferably, blanket components 4 a-4 c are constructed of a cotton/polyester blend. It is to be understood that flo blanket 2 should be constructed such that blanket components 4 a-4 c are machine washable, durable, flexible, soft, and can be stitched upon without unraveling or otherwise come apart. Also, it is to be understood that blanket components 4 a-4 c can be constructed of a variety of different colors. Finally, it is to be understood that blanket components 4 a-4 c should be constructed so that the length and width of blanket components 4 a-4 c should sufficiently cover over the openings 10 and 12 (FIG. 2), as will be described in greater detail later.

With reference to FIG. 2, a unique aspect of the present invention is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 2, each blanket component 4 a-4 c should include two (2) layers. As shown in FIG. 2, blanket component 4 a includes layers 5 a and 5 b. It is to be understood that layers 5 a and 5 b are constructed of the same material as each blanket component 4 a-4 c. Also, while on blanket component 4 a is illustrated, the other blanket components 4 b and 4 c are constructed with substantially the same bi-layer construction. Furthermore, the two layers are held together with stitching 6 a-6 c. For example, the layers 5 a and 5 b are held together by stitching 6 a and the layers of blanket components 4 b and 4 c are held together by stitching 6 b and 6 c, respectively. Preferably, stitching 6 a-6 c, is a stretchable type of stitching that will allow blanket components 4 a-4 c to easily move. Finally, the long sides of blanket component 4 b also include stitching 7 (FIG. 8) that will assist in creating a folded over section of blanket component 4 b along the long sides of blanket component 4 b. Preferably, stitching 7 is a stretchable type of stitching that will allow blanket component 4 b to easily move.

With respect to FIGS. 3-8, stitching 8, 16, and 18 are illustrated. It is to be understood that stitching 8, 16, and 18, preferably, is a stretchable type of stitching that will allow blanket components 4 a-4 c to easily move to the side on flo blanket 2, but will also allow blanket components 4 a-4 c to remain attached to flo blanket 2. It is to be further understood that blanket components 4 a-4 c should be attached to flo blanket 2 through the use of stitching 8, 16, and 18 in a manner that will allow for a natural looseness/ease of use of flo blanket 2 when needed, but limit gaps between blanket components 4 a-4 c when flo blanket 2 is not in use. Furthermore, the stitches 8, 16, and 18 should be constructed so as to provide a finished, seamless look for the flo blanket 2. Finally, the stitches 8, 16, and 18 should be constructed to provide for full coverage of the user by the flo blanket 2 (i.e., no openings in the flo blanket 2) when the openings 10 and 12 are not being used by the user.

With respect to openings 10, 12, attention is directed to FIGS. 3-8. Preferably, openings 10 and 12 are conventionally formed in flo blanket 2 as a result of the stitching 8 and 16. In particular, openings 10 and 12 are approximately 15-30 inches in length. It is to be understood that while two (2) openings 10 and two (2) openings 12 are shown, more openings could be added in order to provide a greater ability for the user to control the user's body temperature while being covered by the flo blanket 2.

A still further unique aspect of the present invention is the use of the three (3) blanket components 4 a-4 c in conjunction with stitches 8 and 16 and openings 10 and 12. In particular, the three (3) blanket components 4 a-4 c in conjunction with stitches 8 and 16 and openings 10 and 12 will allow for the legs and arms of the user to be extending outside of flo blanket 2 regardless of the position of the flo blanket 2 on the user. Furthermore, the three (3) blanket components 4 a-4 c in conjunction with stitches 8 and 16 and openings 10 and 12 will allow for additional use by another person, if the fib blanket 2 is being shared with another user.

Construction of Flo Blanket

With respect to the construction of flo blanket 2, attention is directed to FIGS. 1-8. In particular, blanket layers 5 a and 5 b are conventionally attached together through stitches 6 a in order to form blanket component 4 a. As discussed above, blanket components 4 b and 4 c are also constructed in a similar manner.

Stitches 7 are then attached to blanket component 4 b along the long sides of blanket component 4 b in order to form the folded over section 9 along the long sides of blanket component 4 b.

Once blanket components 4 a-4 c are constructed, blanket components 4 a-4 c are stitched together in an overlapping manner through the use of stitches 8, 16, and 18, as discussed above. Again, it is to be understood that blanket components 4 a-4 c should be attached together through the use of stitching 8, 16, and 18 so that stitching 8, 16, and 18 will allow for a natural looseness/ease of use of flo blanket 2 when needed, but limit gaps between blanket components 4 a-4 c when flo blanket 2 is not in use.

Use of Flo Blanket

Another unique aspect is the use of flo blanket 2. As shown in FIG. 9, the user 20 can spread flo blanket 2 over the user's body, usually over the user's torso, arms 22, and legs 24. If the user 20 experiences any discomfort such as the user's body becomes too warm under the flo blanket 2, the user simply has to extend an arm 22 and/or a leg 24 through the openings 10 and 12 (FIG. 9) and onto the blanket components 4 a and 4 c so that the user's arm 22 and/or leg 24 extend out of the flo blanket 2 and the user's body becomes cooler. Furthermore, the user 20 may extend both arms 22 and/or legs 24 out of the openings 10 and 12 in various combinations in order to more quickly cool down the user's body.

As discussed above, a still another unique aspect of the present invention is that when the user 20 is not extending an arm 22 and/or leg 24 out of the openings 10 and/or 12, the overlapping staggered nature of blanket components 4 a-4 c provides for full coverage of the user 20 by the flo blanket 2 (i.e., no unintended openings in the flo blanket 2).

The preceding merely illustrates the principles of the invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples and conditional language recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for pedagogical purposes and to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventors to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents and equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure.

This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the figures of the accompanying drawing, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description, relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.

An patents, publications, scientific articles, web sites, and other documents and materials referenced or mentioned herein are indicative of the levels of skill of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, and each such referenced document and material is hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if it had been incorporated by reference in its entirety individually or set forth herein in its entirety.

The applicant reserves the right to physically incorporate into this specification any and all materials and information from any such patents, publications, scientific articles, web sites, electronically available information, and other referenced materials or documents to the extent such incorporated materials and information are not inconsistent with the description herein.

An of the features disclosed in this specification may be combined in any combination. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only an example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The specific methods and compositions described herein are representative of preferred embodiments and are exemplary and not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Other objects, aspects, and embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of this specification and are encompassed within the spirit of the invention. It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that varying substitutions and modifications may be made to the invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The invention illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, or limitation or limitations, which is not specifically disclosed herein as essential. Thus, for example, in each instance herein, in embodiments or examples of the present invention, the terms “comprising”, “including”, “containing”, etc. are to be read expansively and without limitation. The methods and processes illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in differing orders of steps, and that they are not necessarily restricted to the orders of steps indicated herein.

The terms and expressions that have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intent in the use of such terms and expressions to exclude any equivalent of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. Thus, it will be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by various embodiments and/or preferred embodiments and optional features, any and all modifications and variations of the concepts herein disclosed that may be resorted to by those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention.

The invention has been described broadly and generically herein. Each of the narrower species and sub-generic groupings falling within the generic disclosure also form part of the invention. This includes the generic description of the invention with a proviso or negative limitation removing any subject matter from the genus, regardless of whether or not the excised material is specifically recited herein.

Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description hereinabove is not intended to limit the invention.

Therefore, provided herein is a new and improved blanket, which according to various embodiments of the present invention, offers the following advantages: ease of use; improved user comfort; improved flexibility; the ability to allow the user to regulate or control the user's body temperature; reduced sticking to the user; reduced overstretching of the blanket; and the ability to use the blanket by the user during rest or relaxation.

In fact, in many of the preferred embodiments, these advantages of ease of use, improved user comfort, improved flexibility, the ability to allow the user to regulate or control the user's body temperature, reduced sticking to the user, reduced overstretching of the blanket, and the ability to use the blanket by the user during rest or relaxation are optimized to an extent that is considerably higher than heretofore achieved in prior, known blankets. 

What we claim is:
 1. A blanket, comprising: at least a first, second, and third blanket component, wherein each blanket component includes a plurality of short sides and long sides such that one of the long sides of the first blanket component is operatively connected to one of the long sides of the second blanket component and the other long side of the second blanket component is operatively connected to one of the long sides of the third blanket component; a first plurality of openings located between the first blanket component and the second blanket component; a second plurality of openings located between the second blanket component and the third blanket component; and a plurality of stitches located adjacent to the first and second plurality of openings.
 2. The blanket, as in claim 1, wherein the at least a first, second, and third blanket component, comprise: a plurality of material layers operatively connected together.
 3. The blanket, as in claim 2, wherein the plurality of material layers, comprise: a blend of cotton and polyester.
 4. The blanket, as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of stitches comprises: a plurality of stretchable stitches.
 5. A method of constructing a blanket, comprising the steps of: providing at least a first, second, and third blanket component, wherein each blanket component includes a plurality of short sides and long sides such that the one long sides of the first blanket component is operatively connected to one of the long sides of the second blanket component and the other long side of the second blanket component is operatively connected to one of the long sides of the third blanket component; placing a plurality of stitches along predetermined locations on the first and second blanket components in order to create a first plurality of openings located between the first blanket component and the second blanket component; and placing a plurality of stitches along predetermined locations on the second and third blanket components in order to create a second plurality of openings located between the second blanket component and the third blanket component.
 6. The method, as in claim 5, wherein the step of providing the at least a first, second, and third blanket component further comprises: for each of the first, second, and third component components, providing a plurality of material layers; and stitching the plurality of material layers together in order to construct each of the first, second, and third component components.
 7. The method, as in claim 6, wherein the plurality of material layers is constructed of: a blend of cotton and polyester.
 8. The method, as in claim 5, wherein the plurality of stitches comprises: a plurality of stretchable stitches.
 9. A method of using a blanket, comprising the steps of: providing a blanket, wherein the blanket comprises; at least a first, second, and third blanket component, wherein each blanket component includes a plurality of short sides and long sides such that the one of the long sides of the first blanket component is operatively connected to one of the long sides of the second blanket component and the other long side of the second blanket component is operatively connected to one of the long sides of the third blanket component, a plurality of stitches located along predetermined locations on the first and second blanket components in order to create a first plurality of openings located between the first blanket component and the second blanket component, and a plurality of stitches along predetermined locations on the second and third blanket components in order to create a second plurality of openings located between the second blanket component and the third blanket component; and locating the blanket over a user, wherein the user has a plurality of arms and legs.
 10. The method, as in claim 9, wherein the method further comprises: placing at least one of the user's arms or legs through at least one of the first or second plurality of openings in order to cool off the at least one of the user's arms or legs. 